These Images Show What Happens When Furries Welcome Syrian Refugees With Open Paws

Things took a hairy turn Sunday in Vancouver, Canada, after fate placed Syrian refugees and a furry convention at the same hotel at the same time.

Staff at the Executive Airport Plaza politely reminded VancouFur participants that the hotel was also being used as temporary housing for refugees, and asked the furries to be mindful of the high potential for "major culture shock."

"Please be aware that our hotel has been chosen as one of the temporary housing locations for the Syrian refugees coming to Canada," a card handed to VancouFur attendees read, according to BuzzFeed. "A major concern that VancouFUR has is ensuring that each and every one of the refugees (and attendees) feels welcome and safe and the fact that this is likely to be a major culture shock to them."

The epic clash of cultures between the much-maligned adult furry community and the Syrians fleeing civil war in their homeland, however, never seemed to occur.

"They saw people in giant animal costumes. To the children, they were just cartoons from stuff like Yo Gabba Gabba!" Chris Jantz, a furry at the convention told theNew YorkDaily News. "I don't think they had any concept of the furry fandom."

Additional photos of the event made their way online, revealing a happy day of dancing and reveling.

@pathhyena @VancouFUR @expressfur Done we made there day <3 pic.twitter.com/upwmwQEvQf

furries and Syrian refugees! What a surprise for them xD #vancoufur pic.twitter.com/V6GxTVC0d2

furries and Syrian refugees at @VancouFUR pic.twitter.com/ZAP5t2rSPF

@Kablappy @ziyatong I have mostly khord and crazy Joe but do have a video with a dragon! pic.twitter.com/tSnfZl17NP

@ziyatong I was there! The refugees loved us, children especially. I'm glad we made their transition to Canada fun. pic.twitter.com/YjNRMRLZVZ

Furries, an often maligned and misunderstood community, bring together men and women who enjoy dressing as anthropomorphized animals. In many cases, sexual fetishization is a large component of the furry community, as evidenced by the recent instances of "sexual harassment" of the Tony the Tiger Twitter account.

Canada and its prime minister, Justin Trudeau, have made welcoming Syrian refugees a key plank in the country's foreign policy. Last year, Canada pledged to accept 25,000 and met that target in February.